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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – When a real-world situation emerges, time is invaluable. No matter the circumstances, aircraft at Kadena must be ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
With an area of responsibility spanning half the globe, keeping aircraft fueled and fit to fight is no small task. Additional refueling stops mean more time on the ground – and delays to the mission.
Luckily, there’s one squadron who takes gas stops out of the equation: the 909th Air Refueling Squadron.
The 909th ARS operates the KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft designed to extend the reach of U.S. and allied airpower by providing aerial refueling, anytime, anywhere. Their mission is straightforward but vital: keep aircraft airborne, mission-ready, and able to respond whenever the mission calls…
But aerial refueling isn’t the only capability that the squadron delivers.
The 909th also frequently supports aeromedical evacuation missions, reconfiguring the KC-135 into a flying ambulance. Working in tandem with the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Airmen move critically ill or injured patients throughout the region, ensuring they receive lifesaving care as quickly as possible.
“We’re the only active duty air refueling unit assigned to the Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Waddell, 909th ARS assistant director of operations. “We integrate with local partners like the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force for training and real world missions, we support aeromedical evacuation operations, all of it. If refueling’s happening in the region, we’re the ones making it happen.”
The squadron operates in one of the world’s most demanding regions. The Indo-Pacific spans roughly 52% of the globe and presents unique challenges, including hostile weather, language barriers between aircrews and air traffic control staff, and additional logistical challenges.
“The Airmen in this squadron have a lot of experience consistently working with different countries handling the logistic side of things,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Baker, 909th ARS boom operator. “When they first come to Kadena, a lot of people struggle with learning how to integrate and adapt. By the time they leave, they’ve become experts in what they do, and are able to bring their skillsets to new bases.
Having the 909th ARS call Kadena home opens the door to operational possibilities within the region. Their air refueling capabilities expand aircraft range and flexibility, continuing to uphold the Air Force’s promise of global reach.
“I think the biggest thing is that once leadership knows that there's a tanker unit here, they know that they can do more, they can support more missions, run longer trainings, things like that,” said Baker. “The Indo-Pacific region is massive and everchanging. They need a lot of aircraft to fulfill the mission, and as long as I'm extending their reach, we can get those aircraft to them.”
By extending the range of U.S. and allied airpower, the 909th ARS continues to refuel the fight, supporting a wide range of missions for Pacific Air Forces and the Indo-Pacific Command ensuring Airmen are ready at a moment’s notice.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2026 22:58 |
| Story ID: | 557996 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 909th ARS: Strength in every connection, by SrA Erin Currie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
